Electrolytic cell.



H. R. NELSON.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

APPLlCATsoN m10 11111117.1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Patented Aug. 10,

000000000000000.000000000 OOOOOOOOOOOQOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOQOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD 000000000 n 1112y mio-L H. R. NELSON.

ELLCTROLYTLC CELL. APPLLcTloN FILED Aue.17.1914.

1490310. n Patented Aug. l, 1915.

2 .SHEETS-SHEEY 2.

le 14 l 3 HARRY R. NELSON, 0F ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

To aller/1,0m t may concern.'

Be it known that I, HARRY R. NELSON, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Elizabeth, county of Union, .State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrolytich Cells, of which the following is a speciication.

This invention relates to improvements in electrolytic cells.

More. particularly, this invention has for its object the provision of simple means for the electrolysis of suitable electrolytes, such as solutions of sodium chlorid, etc., whereby the electrolysis is carried out under maximum eiicie-ncy, with the minimum attention and longest life of the parts of' Vthe electrolytic cell. In the usual form of my invention, the electrolytic cell proper comprises a diaphragm disposed at or adjacent the sides and bottom of the cell proper, a cathode member surrounding the outer side of the diaphragm, and an anode member within the electrolytic cell 'thus formed. The 'cathode member is preferably perforated or reticulated to permit the passage therethrough of the cathion.

I have discovered that-the efiiciency of the electrolysis of such solutions as of sodium chlorid is markedly improved b v supplying an atl'nosphere of steam or other suitable medium in proximity to the outer side of the cathode member. Preferably' such atmosphere of steam or the like, is effected by means of a casing or chest having suitable inlet and outlet means with the provision of propel' controlling devices to regulate the supply of the steam and the discharge of thc resulting reaction products. Vhen a sc lution of sodium chlorid of suitable concentration yis run into an electrolytic cell embodying my invention, the cathion sodium resulting upon electrolysis combines with steam or the like as the cathion passes through orA emerges from the perforations or reticula of the cathode member, thereby forming caustic soda of high concentration with hydrogen. The resulting caustic soda trickles down the. outer side of the cathode member and is caught in a suitable receptacle. preferably a tiltable pan operated to tilt its contents at desired intervals into a xed pan from which the. caustic soda may be discharged. The continuance of the atmosphereof steam or like medium and the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. i0, 1915..

Application filed August '17, 1914. Serial No. 857,087.

prevention of undue sputtering of caustic produced by the bursting of the hydrogen bubbles, is facilitated by the provision of a metal screen disposed at a predetermined distance from the outer side of a cathode member. Such metal screen may be properly spaced from the cathode member by L-plates or the like. l

In the operation of the preferred form of my catalytic cell7 the sodium chlorid or other solution is supplied to the cell at a rate commensurate with the rate of electrolysis, so that a circulation of the sodium chlorid or other solution into and out of the cell is not required. Foreign and other precipitated matter is caught at the bottom of the cell proper, preferably on a removable strip of asbestos or other suitable material. lBy such means, the foreign and other precipitated matter is readily removed from the interior of the electrolytic cell without disturbing the diaphragm proper.

.Other features and objects of my invention will be more fully understood from the following description and accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure l is a side elevation, partly broken away, of an electrolytic cell embodying my invention; and Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional elevation on the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Referring more particularly to the dra-W- ings, the outer casing member l of iron or other suitable metal serves as a support for the electrolytic cell proper and has a chest for the steam or other medium as set forth more fully hereinafter. The cell proper 2 is supported Within said casing l as by longitudinally extending angle plates 3, 4, the cell proper 2 comprising the diaphragm 5 of asbestos or other suitable material is shown as a sheet curved into a U-shapehung from said oppositely disposed angle plates 3, 4; the cathode member G of perforated or reticulated iron or other suitable elec trically conducting material is also shown as U-shaped and supported by riveting or l i eral anodes of anode member 7. vThe nega- Y description taken in connection with the ythe oppositely disposed in the angle plates 19, 19, and supported by.

tive side of the circuit is member 6 through the bus bar 12'.

The upper ends of the oppositeglateral portions of the casing 1 are made gas-tight by the cover members 13, 13, and the oppositely disposed inletv pipes 14, 15, are pro-l vided for the supply of steam or other suitable medium yfrom a. suitable source thereof. The How of the steam or other medium is controlled by the valves 16. On the outer side ot' thek cathode member 6 are arranged screens 17 18, held the strips Q0.V

At the bottom oiQ the cell proper 2 are provided the two strips 21 of curved asbestos or like material and properly positioned to lcatch the precipitated matter. lVhen the precipitated matter has accumulated, the strips 21 may be taken out of the cell after the anode member 7 has been removed to permit access to the strips 21. nstead of a number of strips 21, the precipitate collecting means may be formed of a single strip of vasbestos or the like slightly .bent at the side to form a pan-like structure;

The tilting pan 22 shown disposed below the cathode member 6 collects the concentrated caustic soda; the particular tilting pan 22 is shown pivoted at opposite pivots 23 insulated from casing 1 and other parts of the cell; the pan tilted bysuitable operating means to empty when the contents Y reach a predetermined amount. The caustic soda empties from the tilting pan 22 into the stationary pan Q4 fromwvhich the caustic soda is' discharged through the outlet 25.

Suitable provision is made for leading olf the evolved hydrogen or other gas through the outlet pipes 26. Fig. 1 indicates an outlet pipe 26 on one 'de ot the cell and a similar outlet pipe may be provided on the opposite side, the outlets for the hydrogen or other gas lmay be increased in number and disposed at suitable points.

' The operation of my electrolytic cell will be more fully understood from the foregoing fol lowing explanations. Assuming the solution to be electrolyzed is a sodium chlorid solution, the same is supplied to the interior of the cell proper 2' as by means of the inlet pipes 529. The current is regulated for the proper voltage, whereby the chlorin evolved at the anode member 7 is collected within the chamber 9 and led out through the discharge opening 2S to a suitable reservoir or storage ta'n'k or the like. The cathion sodiu'm encounters the steam Supplied through led to the cathode4 dischargedthrough mosphere 'ofsteam Within the casing 1 main-v 'pan Q4. By the use of outlet pipes 26 the inlet pipes 14, 15 andforms caustic liquor of high concentration with the evolution of hydrogen. rEhe pressure ofthe steam at the inlet pipes 14, 15 is such as to maintain a faint cloud Within the casing 1. The evolved hydrogen passes upwardly along the outer side of the cathode member 6 and is the outlets 26. Such attains the exterior of the cell proper 2 at steam temperature or thereabout, thereby reducing the heat losses of the bath to a minimum. The current density is kept at such value that the quantity of the resulting cathion set free is commensurate with the amount of steam supplied eXteriorly of the y cathode member 6. The formed caustic liquor trickles down the exterior of the cathode member G into the tiltingpan Q2 and is discharged therefrom intermittently into the 'for the steam'or like. medium in combination with the inlet pipes 14, 15, a circulation of the steam is effected by means of a suitable pump and steam supplying means.

It is preferred to admit dry steam through inlet pipes 14, 15, and for such purpose means such as the trap 31 is provided for collecting the condensed water or other liquid; also the inlet pipes and other parts of the steam supplying system may be pro-L vided with heat-insulating sleeves to prevent condensation of the vapor.Y In the event that water or other moisture be condensed within the casing 1 as by contact with the sides of casing 1, such condensed ,moisture will be caught at the bottom of the casing 1, and may be drained through outlets 30, 30. lt will be noted that the mesh of the screens 17, 1S, is chosen to catch substantially all of the cathode vproduct which is sputtered bythe bursting of the evolved gaseous reaction product, while at the same time the mesh freely admits the steam and maintains a uniform atmosphere adjacent the exterior side of the cathode. 'As shown, the lower angle bars 19, 19. are'r disposed in proper relation to the tilting pan 22 to direct the caught 7 cathode product from the screens 17` 18, to the pan 22.

lVhereas l have by reference to specific forms thereof. it will be understood that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from my invention,

1What l claim and ters Patent isz- 1. In an electrolytic cell,"the combination with an anode of a permeable cathode. a container surrounding an exterior side of said cathode, means for supplying steam to the interior of said container and collecting means for the liquid cathode product electrically insulated from said permeable cathode.

desire'to secure by Letdescribed my invention 2. In an electrolytic cell, the combination With an anode of a permeable cathode, a container surrounding an exterior side of said cathode, means for supplying steam to the interior of said container and collecting means for the liquid cathode product electrically insulated from said permeable cathode, said steam supplying means iiicluding means for eli'ecting the absence of condensed moisture from in the region of said cathode.

3. In an electrolytic cell, the combination with an anode of a U-shaped permeable cathode, a container surrounding an exterior side of said cathode, means for sup` plying dry steam to the interior of said container and collecting means for the liquid cathode product disposed Within the container and electrically -insulated from said cathode.

it. In an electrolytic cell, the combination with an anode of aperineable cathode, a container surrounding an exterior side of said cathode, means for supplying to the interior of said container a gaseous medium capable of producing a liquid product with the cathion, and means for collecting such liquid reaction product within said container, saidmeans being disposed below and spaced from said cathode and electrically insulated from said cathode.

5. In an electrolytic cell, the combination with an anode ot' a permeable cathode, a container surrounding an exterior side of said cathode, means for supplying to the interior of said container a gaseous medium capable ot' producing a liquid product with the cathion, and a tiltable pan for collecting such resulting liquid. product disposed at a distance below said cathode.

6. In an electrolytic cell, the combination with an anode, of a permeable cathode extending substantially in a vertical plane, a container surrounding an exterior' side of said pern'ieable cathode, means for supplying steam to the interior of said container. said steam supplying means including means for withdrawing condensed mois- -tui'e from proximity to said cathode, and a tiltable pan disposed below said cathode for collecting the resulting product at a point remote from said cathode'.

7. In an electrolytic cell, the combination with an anode, of a permeable cathode,a container surrounding an exterior -side of said permeable cathode,y means disposed Within said container for lpreventing the dispei'sion. of products evolved at said cathode and collecting means for the liquid cathode product disposed Within said container and electrically insulated from said cathode.

In an electrolytic cell, the combination with an anode, of a permeable cathode, a

container surrounding an exterior side ofv said permeable cathode, means for supplying steam to the interior of said container, means disposed in said container for preventing the dispersion of the evolved cathode product and collecting means for the liquid cathode product electrically insulated from said permeable cathode.

9. In an electrolytic cell, the combination with an anode, of a permeable cathode, a container surrounding an exterior side of said permeable cathode, means for supplying steam to the interior of said container, permeable means disposed in said container for preventing the dispersion of the evolved cathode product and collecting means for the liquid cathode product disposed within said container and electrically insulated from said cathode.

l0. In an electrolytic cell, the combination With an anode, of a bent permeable cathode, a container surrounding an exterior side of ing a gaseous medium to the interior of said container, means disposed Within saidv container for preventing the dispersion of the evolved liquid cathode product, outlet means for the gaseous cathode product and collecting' means for the liquid cathode produ'ct electrically insulated from said cathode and said preventing means.

l1. ,In an electrolytic cell, the combination With an anode, of a bent permeable cathode, a `container surrounding an exterior side of said permeable cathode, means for supplying a gaseous medium to the interior of said container, means disposed Within said container for preventing the dispersion of the evolved liquid cathode product, and means for collecting the cathode product, said last-iiamed means beingdisposed beloW said cathode and electrically insulated from said cathode.

l2. In an electrolytic cell, the combination with an anode, of a permeable cathode, a container surrounding the exterior side of said cathode, means disposed Within said container for collecting the liquid cathode product and electrically insulated from said cathode, a'second means for collecting the cathode product disposed below said lirst named means, and means for emptying said first named collecting means into said second-named collecting means.

18. In anwelectrolytic cell, the combination with a. permeable cathode having a substantially U-shape, a, container vsurrounding the exterior sides of said cathode, a screen disi ode. means for supplying terior sides of said cathode, permeable means disposed within said container adjacent but spaced from an exterior si de of said cathode, and collecting means for the liquid cathode product disposed in operative relation `t`o said cathode and said permeable means, said collecting means being electrically insulated from said cathode and said permeable means.

15. In an electrolytic cell, the combination with a permeable cathode, of a container surrounding the exterior side of said cathto the interior of said container a heatedgaseous medium capable of reacting with the cathion set free upon electrolysis collecting means tor the fathode product disposed Within said container and electrically insulated from said cathode, means for leading ott from said gaseous medium condensed material prior to the entry of said gaseous medium Within said container and means for leading off condensed material from the gaseous medium within said container.

16. In an electrolytic cell, the combination with an anode, of a cathode, a container surrounding an exterior side of said cathode, means for supplying a gaseous medium to the interior of` said container, collecting means for the liquid cathode product disposed within said container and electrically insulated from said cathode and means for leading off condensed material fromA the gaseous medium.

17. In an electrolytic cell, the combination with an anode, of a permeable cathode,

'a container surrounding an exterior side of said permeable'. cathode, permeable means disposed within said container but electrically insulated from said permeable cathode for preventing the dispersion of liquid cathode product vand collecting means for the liquid cathode product electrically insulated 'from said permeable cathode.

1S. In an electrolytic cell, the combination with an anode, of a permeable VU-shaped cathode, a container surrounding the exterior sides of said permeable cathode, means for supplying steamfto the interior of said container, means disposed within said container hut electrically insulated Vfrom said cathode for preventing lthe dispersion of evolved liquid cathode product, collecting means for the liquid cathode product disposed below said dispersion preventing means and electrically insulated Jfrom ysaid cathode, and outlet means for the gaseous cathode product disposed above said collecting means an above said venting means.

19. In an electrolytic cell, the combination with an anode, of a permeable cathode, a container surrounding the exterior side of said cathode, means for supplying steam to substantially the entire supericial area of said cathode, collecting means for the. liquid portion of the cathode product disposed within said container andelectrically insulated from said cathode, a second collecting means for the liquid portion of the vcathode .product arranged within said container, and means Jfor intermittently discharging said first named collecting means into said second named collecting means.

20. In an electrolytic cell, the combination 'with an anode, of a permeable U-sha-ped cathode, a container surrounding the exterior sides of said cathode, steam supplying means communicating With the interior of said container, and collecting means tot' the liquid portion of the cathode product disposed Within said container below said cathode and having all of its sides extending upwardly to points below the lowest point of said cathode.

'21. In an electrolytic cell, the combination with an anode, of a permeable cathode, a container surrounding an exterior side of said cathode, means for supplying a gaseous cathode and said dispersion premedium to the interior of said container,

and means disposed Within said container for collecting the liquid portion of the cathode product out of contact with said cathode. f In testimony whereof I have signed this speciiication inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses. Y Y f HARRY It. NELSON.

v Witnesses:

SAMUEL B. BROWN, lVILLijAM C. S'roxannn. 

